Police operation dismantled 65 cannabis farms and seized £17.8m worth of drugs

DYFED-POWYS POLICE’S sustained crackdown on organised crime has been recognised at a national level after Operation Scotney won the organised crime category at the Wales Safer Communities Awards 2025.

The award recognises the scale and impact of work carried out by officers, staff and volunteers to tackle cannabis factories linked to organised crime groups operating across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys.

Since its launch, Operation Scotney has led to the seizure of an estimated £17.8 million worth of cannabis, with 65 cannabis farms dismantled across the force area. A total of 35 arrests have been made, targeting those involved in the cultivation, supply and management of illegal drugs operations.

Police say a number of the cannabis farms uncovered were located in residential properties, including houses, flats and commercial premises, often in otherwise quiet neighbourhoods. Such sites are frequently linked to wider criminal activity, including human trafficking, modern slavery, money laundering and violent crime.

Officers have repeatedly warned that cannabis factories pose serious risks to the public. Properties are often dangerously altered with illegal electrical connections, significantly increasing the risk of fires, explosions and flooding. Neighbouring homes can also be placed at risk without residents realising what is taking place next door.

Alongside enforcement activity, Operation Scotney has placed a strong emphasis on prevention and safeguarding. As part of the operation, police and partner agencies have educated more than 25,000 children and young people across mid and west Wales about drug harm, criminal exploitation and the methods used by organised crime groups to groom and control vulnerable individuals.

Police say young people can be targeted with promises of money, protection or a sense of belonging, before being drawn into criminal activity that can have long-term consequences for their safety, wellbeing and future prospects.

Dyfed-Powys Police credited the success of Operation Scotney to a coordinated, force-wide approach involving Neighbourhood Policing Teams, the Serious Organised Crime Team, detectives and Police Cadets, alongside vital intelligence provided by members of the public.

Community reports have played a crucial role in identifying suspect properties, with police urging residents to remain vigilant and report signs such as covered or blacked-out windows, strong smells, excessive heat, constant fan noise, or properties that appear occupied but are rarely accessed in a normal way.

The force said the award recognises the collective effort behind the operation and reflects an ongoing commitment to disrupt organised crime networks, protect local communities and safeguard vulnerable people across Pembrokeshire and the wider Dyfed-Powys area.

Police have confirmed that Operation Scotney remains ongoing, with further enforcement activity, intelligence-led operations and education work planned as part of their long-term strategy to tackle organised crime and drug-related harm in west Wales.

Teenager admitted threatening victim with kitchen knife in public street and later assault

JACK GORNALL, aged 18, of no fixed abode, Carmarthen, has been remanded in custody after indicating guilty pleas a knife threat in a public place, a separate assault, and sending a message threatening death or serious harm.

Llanelli Magistrates’ Court heard that Gornall pleaded guilty to threatening a person with a blade in a public place, contrary to section 139AA of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

The court was told that on Wednesday, January 8, in Heol-y-Neuadd, Llandysul, Gornall had a kitchen knife with him in a public place and unlawfully and intentionally threatened another person, Kayden Kavouniaris.

Prosecutors said the threat was made in such a way that a reasonable person exposed to the same conduct would believe there was an immediate risk of physical harm.

Gornall also admitted a further offence of sending a communication threatening death or serious harm, contrary to section 181 of the Online Safety Act 2023.

The court heard that on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Channings, Church Street, Llandysul, Gornall sent a message conveying a threat of death, intending, or being reckless as to whether, an individual encountering the message would fear that the threat would be carried out.

In addition, Gornall pleaded guilty to a separate offence of assault by beating, after assaulting Darren Hughes in Carmarthen on Sunday, October 27.

Magistrates were told that the offences are punishable by imprisonment and that Gornall was likely to offend if released. As a result, he was remanded in custody following conviction.

The case has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under the Sentencing Act 2020.

Gornall is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, February 9, at 9:00am for sentencing.

Magistrates issue warrant without bail after defendant fails to appear in A48 drug-driving case

JORDAN COOPER, aged 31, of Moorland Road, Cimla, Neath Port Talbot, is the subject of an arrest warrant without bail after failing to attend court in connection with an alleged drug-driving offence.

Llanelli Magistrates’ Court heard that Cooper is accused of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the legal limit, contrary to section 5A(1)(a) and (2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The offence is alleged to have taken place on Friday (July 25) on the A48 at Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire.

According to the charge, Cooper was driving a black Ford Transit, registration EX08 OYU, when the proportion of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his blood was recorded at 6.2 micrograms, exceeding the prescribed legal limit.

The court was told that the offence is punishable by imprisonment for an adult offender, and magistrates issued a warrant for Cooper’s arrest without bail.

The case is being prosecuted by CPS Wales (South West).

The matter will return before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Town Hall Square, Llanelli.